While Ether and Solqulo rebuilt Coshire, Hitirus sat still by the pond. His mind was focusing away from the voices, trying to figure out a question that bugged him:
If each sub-version wanted something different, what does he want?
The answer couldn't be that simple. Claiming the King title would be nice, but it wouldn't fulfill his desire. Yet what he yearned for the most wasn't known.
He didn't want notoriety, wealth, a family. What he wanted was different. It wasn't something beneficial, yet it was good he obtained it.
"Shut up! Shut up, all of you! Hitirus is trying to think, and you six are still yapping away?!" the female Zegus sub-version screamed.
Despite her trying to be helpful, she only ended up enraging Hitirus. Hearing such a booming voice distracted him from his focus point, dragging him back to their voices.
"Or what? We're trying to see what works for us," a male Deep Ocean Feral replied.
"By screaming at each other?!? You Ferals are all the same. Learn how to behave normally," the female Zegus snapped back.
"Normally? So is moving onto the next partner after yours lost affection for you or died count as normal? Is it normal for one to be a warmonger or dishonest?"
Hitirus growled, feeling the anger rising like lava out of a volcano. With each shout and insult, Hitirus only grew more restless.
Until he finally snapped.
"Shut the hell up! I never asked for any of your sorry asses to weigh in on my thoughts! Yet you're still here! SHUT UP!" Hitirus screamed.
After he finished yelling, Hitirus' body began to morph and change again. Extra skin coated the space between his fingers, followed by scales and a navy color.
Massive holes started appearing around Hitirus' body before being filled with ice. The feature of a Brittle Ice Thawed.
"You shouldn't yell at your thoughts like that, Tirus," Befehlnadir commented.
"Why shouldn't I? It works to keep them shut for a little while," Hitirus asked.
Befehlnadir carefully stepped closer to where Hitirus sat. His eyes scanned around the area, enjoying the scenery.
The grass was soft when he sat down, acting like a cushion for his mighty frame to rest on. He picked up a pebble, holding it gently in his hand as he turned to face his owner.
"Despite how effective you think it is, that's also why I never have to scream. My sub-versions know their turn and how to operate together. Some are becoming smart enough to automatically change aspects of my body to suit my conflict better."
Hitirus groaned, feeling a bit frustrated knowing he couldn't do that. Deep down, he felt ashamed about his situation.
All of his pre-Nobles have issues with him in some form. Befehlnadir's duty, Hylo's belief that he got her family killed, Ether's past conflict with him.
When the Conqueror Legion fell, Hitirus felt shame for weeks. He didn't even realize how poorly he conducted himself, so he made an effort to correct that.
"So how do I change?" Hitirus asked.
Befehnadir handed him the stone. "Before you go high, you first need to go low. Remember when I said to listen to your voices and heed what they want?"
Hitirus nodded, paying closer attention. Even if the advice sounded sketchy, this was the best advice he got so far.
"Good. Listen to each pair individually, then pass a judgement. Thawed will most likely want to see icy peaks and worship. So give them that. Once you do, most of your Thawed will obey," Befehlnadir explained.
'Pass judgment.' It was something Hitirus was uncertain of. He didn't want to accidentally enrage his sub-versions more than they already were.
But in a way, this showed them they weren't in control. After all, Hitirus was the one in charge of his mind and body.
"Then why did you give me this rock..?" Hitirus focused his attention on it. "Is my Rampart Feral supposed to eat it?"
"No," Befehlnadir chuckled. "You're supposed to paint it. Threshers will trust you more if you show them their willingness to partake in their activities. And before you think there is no use for them, Threshers can be highly lethal."
Hitirus laughed, stunned by what he just heard. "What're they going to do? Love somebody to death?"
"Did you forget all the times I escaped your revival? How about when I snuck up on you? And don't forget, Threshers are innocent and often allowed almost everywhere," Befehlnadir explained.
Upon hearing him mention 'almost,' Hitirus remembered how common Threshers were. Ferals only beat them in population because of Deep Ocean and Bog Ferals.
Other than that, Threshers and Ferals shared territory almost all over Koroth. Even the skies and molten caverns within volcanoes.
"Are you starting to understand why each sub-version is desired and helpful? Looking cute and appealing as a Thresher comes with perks, Ferals are extreme survivalists, Zegi are warriors, and Thawed knowledgeable," Befehlnadir explained.
Hitirus nodded, already paying less attention to Befehlnadir and more on the stone. The idea of sneaking around Nestres' city and catching him by surprise awed him.
Once the Heir was taken care of, most pre-Nobles would grow weaker and have less protection against paranormal attacks.
"I'll ask the butler for some paint and brushes, you seem to be interested on the pebble more than anything." Befehlnadir concluded.
Right as he got up to leave, Hitirus turned to look at him. His usually sharp orange gaze seemed relaxed and thankful.
"Wait -"
Befehlnadir looked down at his Heir, ready to answer whichever question he had left. But he noticed Hitirus' relaxed eyes, causing him to grow curious.
"Nadir, thank you."
Befehlnadir smiled. "Anything to get us out of this mess."
With that, the duo went their own ways. Hitirus ran his index finger and thumb over the cool, smooth pebble. Thinking of different designs and patterns.
Yet the question from earlier still found itself back in his mind again. What did he desire?